ANKARA [MENL] -- Turkey has captured an Al Qaida cell that intended to attack Israeli cruise ships in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkish security sources said a senior Al Qaida operative led the 10-member cell in Turkey, based in the southern province of Antalya. The sources said the Al Qaida cell had tracked and targeted up to four Israeli cruise ships meant to dock in Antalya last week.

"The Syrian headed the cell and was responsible for gathering intelligence and planning attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets in Antalya," a security source said. "He is in custody."

The Syrian and his deputy were captured in southeastern Turkey on Aug. 7. The sources said the Syrian commander would be arraigned in an Istanbul court on Thursday.